Revitalizing The Historic Settlement At The Buriganga Riverfront

South East University, Department of Architecture, Dhaka

Project idea

The urban fabric of the old Dhaka is transforming and replacing the old fabric. land possession, hazardous new development, inappropriate spatial zoning, scarcity of open space and congested settlements are the major issues of the city's deterioration. Heritage buildings are also isolated and invaded. Some of these are in dilapidated condition and many of these are ruined.
The main objective of the project is to Integrate the historic building into the existing fabric, Ensure exposure, ensure visual exposure, Adaptive reuse of historic artifacts.

Project description

Early settlement of Dhaka city, Old Dhaka has grown along the river Buriganga. Dated back to the pre-Mughal period(before 1608), the old city has a glorious history. it was a small trading town which became the provincial capital in the Mughal period(1608-1764), many historical monuments like forts, mosque, and katras(caravanserai) were built during this period. Later During the colonial period(1765-1947), the riverfront was the high-class residential area and city's architecture was enriched by the residential Buildings. Over the period historic city lost its glory and the mighty river has become polluted. Raising Population density and their demands, environmental change, High price of land, changes in land use pattern are leading the city towards deterioration.

Conserving all the historically important building with adaptive reuse, providing the building's access and exposure into existing the urban fabric, bringing the historic building into a network and connecting these with inner city, finally outlining a strategic planning are the approaches to revive the city.

Technical information

Heritage Buildings of old Dhaka are in danger. some of these are in dilapidated condition and many of these are partially demolished even in threat of disappearance in near future. To preserve those building in the serial site documentation and identification were done. Existing site condition and historical layers were analyzed for conservation and adaptive reuse. A strategic macro level planning also adopted for the revival of the settlement.